New & looking for some help

[Hawkeyebowhunter]

My wife and I are moving from Des Moines Iowa to Bozeman Montana here next Thursday. I'm looking at a 2004 Tacoma TRD Off Road edition. I don't necessarily like the look of the stock trucks, but plan on lifting it a bit and putting some beefier tires on. Not sure what else I have to do, I will take the truck to the shop to get everything completed. Not looking to spend an extra 4-5 thousand, I can get wheels and tires pretty inexpensive from my dad's shop, otherwise can anybody recommend a good starting point for someone that doesn't have a bunch of time to do a lot of research?
I am going to use this truck as a daily driver, and to get to and from mountain trout streams and hunting areas. I also don't want to do a complete overhaul of the truck to the point where it costs me down the road in repairs etc. I know this sounds incomplete and naive, I just didn't know where else to look. If anyone can provide some insight that would be helpful. Thanks!

 

[fsbrain03]

Here's my 2004. In this picture, with wheels, tires, and lift... I'm less that $3000 into it.

 

[Hawkeyebowhunter]

That looks real nice, almost exactly what I had pictured in my head! Went with Goodyear's good man!!

 

[TacoXpo]

Think Old Man Emu [coming from an old man].

 

[fsbrain03]

Think Old Man Emu [coming from an old man].

This is what I would do if I was throwing anymore money into this truck. I've got the Dakars leafs, but still have factory coils.

 

[fsbrain03]

That looks real nice, almost exactly what I had pictured in my head! Went with Goodyear's good man!!

Thanks. Right off the bat, I went with a cheap lift. 3". Put a spacer lift on the front, and Add a Leaf in the rear (Total around $300). This worked really well for me for a while, and then changed the front lift a little different for a smoother ride. The spacer makes things a bit rough.

Then slapped those 33" Goodyears under it. Probably the best tire I have ever used.

 

[Hawkeyebowhunter]

So you got into that for $300 plus tires?

 

[fsbrain03]

So you got into that for $300 plus tires?

Correct. Wheels and tires cost over $2K for the set.

 

[Hawkeyebowhunter]

That isn't bad at all, can I ask which brand you went with as far as the lift n everything?

 

[fsbrain03]

That isn't bad at all, can I ask which brand you went with as far as the lift n everything?

I'm actually trying to remember. I have a sticker from them at home, I may have to wait until then. As soon as I remember, I'll post it up for you.

 

[jdmcq]

Do it right, do it once.

For an excellent, reliable and reasonably priced suspension, OME is the way to go. You should get 2-2.5" out of it and fit 32" tires with no trimming or issues (33's if you start cutting). It will really breathe new life into your truck, the change in ride is amazing.

 

[Hawkeyebowhunter]

No worries, thanks for your help!

 

[fsbrain03]

Here's where I got mine:

http://www.extremetrucktoys.com/tacoma1.html

 

[tex]

That $300 lift will work but will put stress on the rear leafs and front coils and cost you more $ and headache a short time down the road.
Like the others have said, get the complete Old Man Emu set up with Dakar leafs. I got mine for about $1000. The leafs are awesome and really help when you put any kind of weight in the bed.